Support structure

ABSTRACT

Support structures and bats such as those that may be used in the game of baseball are disclosed herein. Certain embodiments include a plurality of appendages within a bat barrel that both arc toward the bat barrel and form an arc adjacent to the inside of the bat barrel. Sport structures having a central hub within the barrel of a bat are also disclosed.

Support structures capable of adding strength, resiliency, or resistance to damage to devices having a cylindrical component such as a baseball bat are described herein. The utilization of such support structures in bats is also described.

A bat as described herein may, for example, comprise a bat barrel having a central axis, a bat barrel internal radius, and a bat barrel internal arc radius; a first appendage; wherein the first appendage has a first appendage first portion that is adjacent to the bat barrel; wherein the first appendage first portion has a first appendage first portion arc radius greater than 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius; wherein the first appendage has a first appendage second portion that is located further from the bat barrel than the first appendage first portion; wherein the first appendage second portion has a first appendage second portion arc radius less than or equal to 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius; a second appendage; wherein the second appendage has a second appendage first portion that is adjacent to the bat barrel; wherein the second appendage first portion has a second appendage first portion arc radius greater than 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius; wherein the second appendage has a second appendage second portion that is located further from the bat barrel than the second appendage first portion; wherein the second appendage second portion has a second appendage second portion arc radius less than or equal to 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius; wherein the first appendage and the second appendage are connected within the bat barrel. In a related embodiment, the first appendage and the second appendage may be directly connected to each other. In a related embodiment, the first appendage and the second appendage may be connected to each other by a central structure. In a related embodiment, the bat may further comprise a third appendage; wherein the third appendage has a third appendage first portion that is adjacent to the bat barrel; wherein the third appendage first portion has a third appendage first portion arc radius greater than 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius; wherein the third appendage has a third appendage second portion that is located further from the bat barrel than the third appendage first portion; wherein the third appendage second portion has a third appendage second portion arc radius less than or equal to 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius. In a further related embodiment, the first appendage, the second appendage, and the third appendage are connected to each other by a central structure. In another related embodiment, the bat may further comprise a cylindrical sleeve within the barrel of the bat. In a still further related embodiment, the cylindrical sleeve has a plurality of internal structures that protrude from the cylindrical sleeve. In a still further related embodiment, the first appendage and the second appendage are frictionally fit within the cylindrical sleeve. In a still further related embodiment, the first appendage second portion has a first appendage second portion arc radius less than or equal to 50% of the bat barrel internal arc radius. In a further related embodiment, the first appendage second portion has a first appendage second portion arc radius less than or equal to 40% of the bat barrel internal arc radius. In a further related embodiment, the first appendage second portion has a first appendage second portion arc radius greater than or equal to 10% of the bat barrel internal arc radius. In a further related embodiment, the first appendage second portion has a first appendage second portion radial section that is oriented radially with respect to the bat barrel. In a further related embodiment, the first appendage first portion has a first appendage first portion perpendicular section that is oriented perpendicular to a first line oriented radially from the central axis.

Support structures described herein may, for example, comprise a central hub structure having a central axis and a hub structure height; a plurality of curved spokes attached to the central hub structure; wherein the plurality of curved spokes each have a curved spoke height substantially equivalent to the hub structure height; wherein the plurality of curved spokes each have a curved spoke length extending to a support structure maximum radial distance; wherein the support structure maximum radial distance is measured from the central axis; wherein the support structure is located within the support structure maximum radial distance; wherein the plurality of curved spokes each have an outer portion; wherein each of the outer portions of the plurality of curved spokes forms a first set of surfaces; wherein the first set of surfaces lies along the support structure maximum radial distance; wherein each of the plurality of curved spokes have an internal spoke portion; wherein each of the internal spoke portions has an arcing portion. In a related embodiment, each of the internal spoke portions may have an arc segment having an arc segment radius of at least 10% of the support structure maximum radial distance. In a related embodiment, each of the internal spoke portions may have an arc segment radius that is at most 90% of the support structure maximum radial distance. In a related embodiment, each of the internal spoke portions may have an arc segment having an arc segment radius that is at most 80% of the support structure maximum radial distance. In a further related embodiment, each of the internal spoke portions may have an arc segment having an arc segment radius that is at most 50% of the support structure maximum radial distance. In a still further related embodiment, the support structure may be arranged and configured to fit securely within the barrel of a bat. In a still further related embodiment, the support structure may be configured to resist compression of a barrel of a bat when positioned within the barrel of the bat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of the support structure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the support structure.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the support structure arranged within the barrel of the bat.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the support structure within a sleeve within the barrel of the bat.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support structure arranged within a sleeve that is arranged within the barrel of the bat.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the support structure within a sleeve within the barrel of a bat.

FIG. 7 is a close up view of the curved spoke near the bat barrel.

FIG. 8 is a close up view of the curved spoke near the bat barrel.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the support structure within a sleeve within a bat barrel.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the support structure within a sleeve within a bat barrel.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the support structure within a sleeve within a bat barrel.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the support structure within a sleeve within a bat barrel.

FIG. 13 is an end view of the support structure within a sleeve within a bat barrel.

FIG. 14 is a partial end view of the support structure within a sleeve within a bat barrel having descriptive markings relating to the curved spoke path.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, representing an example disclosed herein, a cross-section of Support structure 10 is shown. Support structure 10 comprises a Center ring 20 surrounding a Central opening 30. Departing from Center ring 20 at approximately equally spaced intervals around the circumference of Center ring 20 are Curved spokes 40. Curved spokes 40 depart from Center ring 20 at an angle that is neither radial with respect to Center ring 20 nor tangential to Center ring 20, but attaches to and departs from Center ring 20 at an angle that is between radial and tangential. Support structure 10 may be included within the barrel of a bat (not shown), which may be an aluminum baseball or softball bat, such that each of Curved spokes 40 arc out from Center ring 20 in the direction of the portion of the barrel of the bat that is nearest the point of attachment of Center ring 20 to the relevant Curved spoke 40. Curved spoke 40 follows a first arc path in between Center ring 20 and the bat barrel and Curved spoke 40 transitions into following a second arc path at End of curved spoke 50 which is the point where Curved spoke 40 would be adjacent to the barrel of the bat when Support structure 10 is in the barrel of a bat. In the present embodiment Curved spoke 40 has a first arc path that has an arc radius that is less than one half of, but greater than one fourth of the radius of Support structure 10. At End of curved spoke 50 Curved spoke 40 follows a second arc path having an arc radius that is substantially the same as the radius of Support structure 10 with that arc radius being either equivalent to or slightly less than the radius of the internal circumference of the bat barrel. In an alternate embodiment, End of curved spoke 50 is either straight or has a larger radius arc than Bat barrel 60, but is flexible enough to form an arc having a radius comparable to the arc made by the internal circumference of the bat barrel.

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a partial perspective view of the embodiment depicted and FIG. 1 of the drawings. Elements of the embodiments depicted in FIG. 2 of the drawings are the same as described in the treatment of FIG. 1 above. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 is a truncated depiction of Support structure 10 which may have a length sufficient to fill the inside of Bat barrel 60 (not shown).

Example 2

FIG. 3 of the drawings is an embodiment in which Support structure 10 is located within Bat barrel 60. The view presented in FIG. 3 is from a perspective situated along the central axis of Bat barrel 60 and looking down Bat barrel 60. Each of the component parts of Support structure 10 are arranged in a manner comparable to that depicted in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Curved spoke 40 arcs gradually from Center ring 20 toward Bat barrel 60 with the arc of Curved spoke 40 transitioning into an arc of greater radius at or near the point where Curved spoke 40 contacts Bat barrel 60 such that Curved spoke 40 has an area of contact with Bat barrel 60 in the region of End of curved spoke 50. The arc of Curved spoke 40 may be comparable to the arc of Bat barrel 60 such that End of curved spoke 50 lies along and in contact with Bat barrel 60. The fit between Curved spoke 40 and Bat barrel 60 may be a friction fit as is shown in the present embodiment.

Example 3

FIG. 4 of the drawings is an embodiment in which Support structure 10 is located within Sleeve 90 which is located within Bat barrel 60. In the present embodiment, Sleeve 90 is in the form of a cylinder. The view presented in FIG. 4 is from a perspective situated along the central axis of Bat barrel 60 and looking down Bat barrel 60. Component parts of Support structure 10 are arranged in a manner comparable to that depicted in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Curved spoke 40 arcs gradually from Center ring 20 toward Sleeve 90 with the arc of Curved spoke 40 transitioning into an arc of greater radius at or near the point where curved spoke contacts Sleeve 90 such that Curved spoke has an area of contact with Sleeve 90 in the region of End of curved spoke 50. The arc of Curved spoke 40 may be comparable to the arc of Sleeve 90 such that End of curved spoke 50 lies along and in contact with Sleeve 90. Similarly, Sleeve 90 is arranged and configured to fit closely and securely within Bat barrel 60 with little or no gap between Bat barrel 60 and Sleeve 90. The fit between Curved spoke 40 and Sleeve 90 may be a friction fit such as the fit shown in FIG. 4. The fit between Sleeve 90 and Bat barrel 60 may be either a close fit or a friction fit.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the invention configured similarly to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4. Support structure 10 comprising Center ring 20, Central opening 30, and Curved spoke 40 including End of curved spoke 50 is situated and frictionally fit within Sleeve 90. Sleeve 90 is situated within and may be frictionally fit within Bat barrel 60. Support structure 10 and Sleeve 90 may extend through either a portion of the cylindrical section of Bat barrel 60 or may extend the entire length of the cylindrical section of Bat barrel 60. Sleeve 90 and Support structure 10 provide additional support to Bat barrel 60 and reduce plastic the formation and denting of both Bat barrel 60 and Bat 70.

While the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings contains six Curved spokes 40 which are each similarly configured and substantially evenly spaced around Support structure 10, descriptions contained herein focus on the configurations of individual Curved spokes 40. The present embodiment and each subsequently described embodiment should be understood as describing a variety of related embodiments having 3-12 spokes configured as those Curved spokes 40 are described in the individual examples each of the spokes being substantially evenly spaced around a central support structure.

Example 4

Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawings, Support structure 10 comprising Center ring 20, Central opening 30, and Curved spoke 40 including End of curved spoke 50 is situated and frictionally fit within Sleeve 90. Sleeve 90, unlike the version of sleeve 90 depicted in FIG. 4 of the drawings, contains substantial departures from a cylindrical form. Sleeve 90 has two or more Wall protrusions 95 and, as shown in FIG. 6, may have a number of Wall protrusions equivalent to the number of Curved spokes 40. Further, Curved spoke 40 is thickest at the point of attachment to Center ring 20. Protrusions such as Wall protrusions 95 and/or the reinforcement of Curved spoke 40 as depicted in FIG. 6 or other equivalent structures may be applied to any of the embodiments described herein.

Example 5

In an alternate embodiment, related to FIG. 6 of the drawings, but not shown in a separate figure, Bat 70 may comprise Bat barrel 60 and Support structure 10 without the presence of Sleeve 90. In that embodiment, protrusions equivalent to Wall protrusions 95, shown protruding from Sleeve 90, protrude from Bat barrel 60 forming a relationship between Curved spoke 40 and Bat barrel 60 that is comparable to the relationship depicted in FIG. 6. Such protrusions from the bat barrel aid in the retention of Support structure 10 in its position within Bat barrel 60 and limits the potential motion of End of curved spoke 50 during compression and deformation of Bat barrel 60 during the striking of a ball with Bat 70.

Example 6

FIG. 7 illustrates the geometry of certain embodiments of Curved spoke 40 near the point where Curved spoke 40 contacts either Bat barrel 60 or Sleeve 90. Wall contacting spoke portion 120 is a portion of Curved spoke 40 that is in contact with the surface of Bat barrel 60. Near wall spoke portion 130 is a portion of Curved spoke 40 that is near the surface of Bat barrel 60 but not in contact with Bat barrel 60. Point of departure 140 represents the point at which Curved spoke 40 separates from Bat barrel 60 and represents the point at which Wall contacting spoke portion 120 meets Near wall spoke portion 130. As illustrated in FIG. 7 Wall contacting spoke portion is configured as an arc having an arc radius comparable to the arc radius of Bat barrel 60. Near wall spoke portion 130 is configured as an arc having an arc radius that is substantially less than the arc radius of Wall contacting spoke portion 120. The arc radius of Near wall spoke portion 130 may be less than 75% of the internal radius of Bat barrel 60. The arc radius of Near wall spoke portion may be less than 50% of the internal radius of Bat barrel 60. In a separate but related embodiments, the arc radius of Near wall spoke portion 130 may be greater than 25% of the internal radius of Bat barrel 60 and the arc radius of Near wall spoke portion 130 may be greater than 30% of the internal radius of Bat barrel 60. As shown in FIG. 7, the arc of Near wall spoke portion 130 may smoothly transition into the arc of Wall contacting spoke portion 120 so that there is no appreciable angle at Point of departure 140. Such transition may for example be either a direct and immediate transition between the arc of Wall contacting spoke portion 120 and the arc of Near wall spoke portion 130 or may be a more gradual transition involving multiple arc radii or a continuously decreasing arc radius near Point of departure 140.

Although the present example describes a configuration in which Curved spoke 40 comes in contact with Bat barrel 60, the geometric descriptions of Curved spoke 40 described above in the present example are also contemplated as a separate embodiment having similar geometry in which Curved spoke 40 is in contact with Sleeve 90.

Example 7

Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, Curved spoke 40 may be configured such that Wall contacting spoke portion 120 has a first arc comparable to that of Bat barrel 60, such that Near wall spoke portion 130 has a second arc, and such that wall contacting spoke portion 120 meets near wall spoke portion 130 at Point of departure 140. In the present example, Curved spoke 40 creates an Angle of departure 145 which represents the angle at which near wall spoke portion departs from Bat barrel 60 at Point of departure 140. Angle of departure 145 may be less than 50°. In separate but related embodiments Angle of departure 145 may be less than 35° and Angle of departure 145 may be less than 20°. In a series of related embodiments, any of the above described geometric descriptions of the present example may be used in conjunction with Sleeve 90.

Example 8

Referring now to FIG. 9 of the drawings, Curved spoke 40 may be configured such that it protrudes radially from Center ring 20 and arcs toward Sleeve 90. In the present embodiment, Curved spoke 40 approaches and contacts Sleeve 90 in a manner comparable to the manner described in either Example 6 or Example 7. Sleeve 90 lies within Bat barrel 60 as described above.

Example 9

Referring now to FIG. 10 of the drawings, Curved spoke 40 may be configured such that it departs from Center ring 20 tangentially and arcs toward the portion of Sleeve 90 that is closest to the point of attachment of Curved spoke 40 to Center ring 20. In the present embodiment, Curved spoke 40 approaches and contacts Sleeve 90 in a manner comparable to the manner described in either Example 6 or Example 7. Sleeve 90 lies within Bat barrel 60 as described above.

Example 10

Referring now to FIG. 11 of the drawings, Hexagonal center 210 may serve as the center of Support structure 10 such that each side of the hexagon formed by Hexagonal center 200 continues outward on one side to form the beginning of Curved spoke 40 which ultimately arcs outward approaching and contacting Sleeve 90 in a manner comparable to the manner described in either Example 6 or Example 7. Sleeve 90 lies within Bat barrel 60 as described above.

In alternate related embodiments the geometric center of Support structure 10 may take a variety of geometric forms including but not limited to a square, a pentagon, a heptagon, an octagon, etc.

Example 11

Referring now to FIG. 12 of the drawings, Curved spoke 40 may be configured such that it departs from Center ring 20 tangentially and arcs away from the portion of Sleeve 90 that is closest to the point of attachment of Curved spoke 40 to Center ring 20. In the present embodiment, Curved spoke 40 approaches and contacts Sleeve 90 in a manner comparable to the manner described in either Example 6 or Example 7. Sleeve 90 lies within Bat barrel 60 as described above.

Example 12

Referring now to FIG. 13 of the drawings, Curved spoke 40 may be configured such that it departs from Center ring 20 tangentially or near tangentially and arcs toward the portion of Sleeve 90 that is closest to the point of attachment of Curved spoke 40 to Center ring 20. In the present embodiment, Curved spoke 40 approaches and contacts Sleeve 90 in a manner comparable to the manner described in either Example 6 or Example 7. Additionally, Center ring 20 has a diameter that is greater than 50% of the internal diameter of Bat barrel 60. Sleeve 90 lies within Bat barrel 60 as described above.

Additional Examples

Referring now to FIG. 14 of the drawings, embodiments described herein, and in particular the configurations of individual versions of Curved spoke 40 may be understood by viewing Support structure 10 looking down Bat barrel 60 from the Bat barrel 60 end of the Bat 70 and by using Point of attachment 305 as a reference point from which the geometry of Curved spoke 40 may be understood. The examples that immediately follow and refer to FIG. 14 described embodiments which arc in the clockwise direction as Curved spoke 40 approaches Sleeve 90. These examples should be understood to also representing an equivalent number of counter examples having equivalent geometry but having a direction of arc that is in the counterclockwise direction as Curved spoke 40 approaches Sleeve 90. Each of the examples described in the present set of Examples are described with respect to Sleeve 90. In embodiments not having Sleeve 90 the geometric references to Sleeve 90 would apply to Bat barrel 60. Furthermore, the number of Curved spokes 40 in these embodiments may vary from 3-12.

Point of attachment 305 is the point of intersection of the centerline of Curved spoke 40 as it intersects with Center ring 20. Using Point of attachment 305 as a frame of reference, Reference line 310 is a line that tangentially departs from Point of attachment 305 with respect to Center ring 20, Reference line 340 is a line that extends from Point of attachment 305 in a direction that is radial from Center ring 20, and Reference line 370 is a line that tangentially departs from Point of attachment 305 opposite Reference line 310. Line segments are sometimes referred to herein as lines for the sake of brevity. Reference line 340 is 90° clockwise from Reference line 310 and Reference line 370 is 90° clockwise from Reference line 340. Each of Reference lines 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, and 400 originate from Point of attachment 305 and those reference lines are 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°, 210°, 240°, and 270° clockwise from Reference line 310 respectively. First section 420 is the area between Reference line 310 and Reference line 320. Second section 430 is the area between Reference line 320 and Reference line 330. Third section 440 is the area between Reference line 330 and Reference line 340. Fourth section 450 is the area between Reference line 340 and Reference line 350. Fifth section 460 is the area between Reference line 350 and Reference line 360. Sixth section 470 is the area between Reference line 360 and Reference line 370. Seventh section 480 is the area between Reference line 370 and Reference line 380. Eighth section 490 is the area between Reference line 380 and Reference line 390. Ninth section 500 is the area between Reference line 390 and Reference line 400. Reference line 310 is sometimes referred to herein as the “primary tangent line.” In embodiments where the center of Support structure 10 is not cylindrical/circular the following descriptions associated with FIG. 14 may be adjusted to account for the differing geometry. In such cases, the smallest circular/cylindrical area/space that is coaxial with the bat barrel and that fully encompasses the central structure is referred to as the “central region.” Non-circular/non-cylindrical central structures may have one or more of the geometries described herein with reference to FIG. 14 with Point of attachment 305 referring to the point of departure of Curved spoke 40 from the central region. In such embodiments the primary tangent line is tangential to the perimeter of the central region.

In a series of related examples, Curved spoke 40 may connect to Point of attachment 305 at an angle ranging from parallel to the primary tangent line to 30° clockwise from the primary tangent line. In that series of examples, Curved spoke 40 may have a characteristic selected from the characteristics described in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Example Characteristic 13 An arc radius between 50% and 25% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 14 An arc radius between 40% and 20% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 15 An arc radius between 30% and 10% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 16 An arc path that passes between the primary tangent line and 30° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (First section 420) 17 An arc path that passes between 30° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 60° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Second section 430) 18 An arc path that passes between 60° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 90° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Third section 440) 19 An arc path that passes between 90° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 120° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Fourth section 450)

In a series of related examples, Curved spoke 40 may connect to Point of attachment 305 at an angle ranging from 30° clockwise from the primary tangent line to 60° clockwise from the primary tangent line. In that series of examples, Curved spoke 40 may have a characteristic selected from the characteristics described in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Example Characteristic 20 An arc radius between 50% and 25% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 21 An arc radius between 40% and 20% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 22 An arc radius between 30% and 10% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 23 An arc path that passes between 30° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 60° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Second section 430) 24 An arc path that passes between 60° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 90° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Third section 440) 25 An arc path that passes between 90° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 120° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Fourth section 450) 26 An arc path that passes between 120° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 150° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Fifth section 460)

In a series of related examples, Curved spoke 40 may connect to Point of attachment 305 at an angle ranging from 60° clockwise from the primary tangent line to 90° clockwise from the primary tangent line. In that series of examples, Curved spoke 40 may have a characteristic selected from the characteristics described in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Example Characteristic 27 An arc radius between 50% and 25% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 28 An arc radius between 40% and 20% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 29 An arc radius between 30% and 10% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 30 An arc path that passes between 60° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 90° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Third section 440) 31 An arc path that passes between 90° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 120° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Fourth section 450) 32 An arc path that passes between 120° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 150° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Fifth section 460) 33 An arc path that passes between 150° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 180° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Sixth section 470)

In a series of related examples, Curved spoke 40 may connect to Point of attachment 305 at an angle ranging from 90° clockwise from the primary tangent line to 120° clockwise from the primary tangent line. In that series of examples, Curved spoke 40 may have a characteristic selected from the characteristics described in Table 4 below.

TABLE 4 Example Characteristic 34 An arc radius between 50% and 25% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 35 An arc radius between 40% and 20% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 36 An arc radius between 30% and 10% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 37 An arc path that passes between 90° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 120° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Fourth section 450) 38 An arc path that passes between 120° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 150° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Fifth section 460) 39 An arc path that passes between 150° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 180° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Sixth section 470) 40 An arc path that passes between 180° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 210° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Seventh section 480)

In a series of related examples, Curved spoke 40 may connect to Point of attachment 305 at an angle ranging from 120° clockwise from the primary tangent line to 150° clockwise from the primary tangent line. In that series of examples, Curved spoke 40 may have a characteristic selected from the characteristics described in Table 5 below.

TABLE 5 Example Characteristic 41 An arc radius between 80% and 40% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 42 An arc radius between 50% and 25% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 43 An arc radius between 30% and 10% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 44 An arc path that passes between 120° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 150° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Fifth section 460) 45 An arc path that passes between 150° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 180° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Sixth section 470) 46 An arc path that passes between 180° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 210° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Seventh section 480) 47 An arc path that passes between 210° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 240° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Eighth section 490)

In a series of related examples, Curved spoke 40 may connect to Point of attachment 305 at an angle ranging from 150° clockwise from the primary tangent line to 180° clockwise from the primary tangent line. In that series of examples, Curved spoke 40 may have a characteristic selected from the characteristics described in Table 6 below.

TABLE 6 Example Characteristic 48 An arc radius between 90% and 40% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 49 An arc radius between 50% and 25% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 50 An arc radius between 30% and 10% of the internal radius of Sleeve 90. 51 An arc path that passes between 150° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 180° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Sixth section 470) 52 An arc path that passes between 180° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 210° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Seventh section 480) 53 An arc path that passes between 210° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 240° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Eighth section 490) 54 An arc path that passes between 240° clockwise from the primary tangent line and 270° clockwise from the primary tangent line. (Ninth section 500)

As that term is used herein the “barrel” of a bat is the portion of a bat that is substantially cylindrical and is commonly used to strike a ball such as in the game of baseball. As that term is used herein “adjacent” when used in the context of structures near a bat barrel is intended to encompass all structures having a close spatial relationship with the bat barrel, the spatial relationship being sufficiently close to reduce the plastic deformation of the bat barrel when the bat barrel is impacted by a baseball traveling at 100 miles per hour in a direction normal to the surface of the bat barrel as compared to the deformation under similar circumstances without the structure wherein the baseball meets the specifications for use as in major league baseball for the 2012 season. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, End of curved spoke 50 would be considered adjacent to Bat barrel 60 in spite of being separated from Bat barrel 60 by Sleeve 90.

There are, of course, other alternate embodiments which are obvious from the foregoing descriptions of the invention, which are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. a bat comprising: a. a bat barrel having a central axis, a bat barrel internal radius, and a bat barrel internal arc radius; b. a first appendage; c. wherein the first appendage has a first appendage first portion that is adjacent to the bat barrel; d. wherein the first appendage first portion has a first appendage first portion arc radius greater than 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius; e. wherein the first appendage has a first appendage second portion that is located further from the bat barrel than the first appendage first portion; f. wherein the first appendage second portion has a first appendage second portion arc radius less than or equal to 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius; g. a second appendage; h. wherein the second appendage has a second appendage first portion that is adjacent to the bat barrel; i. wherein the second appendage first portion has a second appendage first portion arc radius greater than 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius; j. wherein the second appendage has a second appendage second portion that is located further from the bat barrel than the second appendage first portion; k. wherein the second appendage second portion has a second appendage second portion arc radius less than or equal to 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius; l. wherein the first appendage and the second appendage are connected within the bat barrel.
 2. The bat of claim 1 wherein the first appendage and the second appendage are directly connected to each other.
 3. The bat of claim 1 wherein the first appendage and the second appendage are connected to each other by a central structure.
 4. The bat of claim 1 further comprising: a. a third appendage; b. wherein the third appendage has a third appendage first portion that is adjacent to the bat barrel; c. wherein the third appendage first portion has a third appendage first portion arc radius greater than 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius; d. wherein the third appendage has a third appendage second portion that is located further from the bat barrel than the third appendage first portion; e. wherein the third appendage second portion has a third appendage second portion arc radius less than or equal to 80% of the bat barrel internal arc radius.
 5. The bat of claim 4 wherein the first appendage, the second appendage, and the third appendage are connected to each other by a central structure.
 6. The bat of claim 1 further comprising a cylindrical sleeve within the barrel of the bat.
 7. The bat of claim 6 wherein the cylindrical sleeve has a plurality of internal structures that protrude from the cylindrical sleeve.
 8. The bat of claim 7 wherein the first appendage and the second appendage are frictionally fit within the cylindrical sleeve.
 9. The bat of claim 1 wherein the first appendage second portion has a first appendage second portion arc radius less than or equal to 50% of the bat barrel internal arc radius.
 10. The bat of claim 1 wherein the first appendage second portion has a first appendage second portion arc radius less than or equal to 40% of the bat barrel internal arc radius.
 11. The bat of claim 1 wherein the first appendage second portion has a first appendage second portion arc radius greater than or equal to 10% of the bat barrel internal arc radius.
 12. The bat of claim 1 wherein the first appendage second portion has a first appendage second portion radial section that is oriented radially with respect to the bat barrel.
 13. The bat of claim 1 wherein the first appendage first portion has a first appendage first portion perpendicular section that is oriented perpendicular to a first line oriented radially from the central axis.
 14. A support structure comprising: a. a central hub structure having a central axis and a hub structure height; b. a plurality of curved spokes attached to the central hub structure; c. wherein the plurality of curved spokes each have a curved spoke height substantially equivalent to the hub structure height; d. wherein the plurality of curved spokes each have a curved spoke length extending to a support structure maximum radial distance; e. wherein the support structure maximum radial distance is measured from the central axis; f. wherein the support structure is located within the support structure maximum radial distance; g. wherein the plurality of curved spokes each have an outer portion; h. wherein each of the outer portions of the plurality of curved spokes forms a first set of surfaces; i. wherein the first set of surfaces lies along the support structure maximum radial distance; j. wherein each of the plurality of curved spokes have an internal spoke portion; k. wherein each of the internal spoke portions has an arcing portion.
 15. The support structure of claim 14 wherein each of the internal spoke portions have an arc segment having an arc segment radius of at least 10% of the support structure maximum radial distance.
 16. The support structure of claim 14 wherein each of the internal spoke portions have an arc segment having an arc segment radius that is at most 90% of the support structure maximum radial distance.
 17. The support structure of claim 14 wherein each of the internal spoke portions have an arc segment having an arc segment radius that is at most 80% of the support structure maximum radial distance.
 18. The support structure of claim 14 wherein each of the internal spoke portions have an arc segment having an arc segment radius that is at most 50% of the support structure maximum radial distance.
 19. The support structure of claim 14 wherein the support structure is arranged and configured to fit securely within the barrel of a bat.
 20. The support structure of claim 14 wherein the support structure is arranged an configured to resist compression of a barrel of a bat when positioned within the barrel of the bat. 